As a psychiatric technician, you'll provide front-line care and support to patients facing mental health challenges. With a blend of empathy, communication skills, and clinical knowledge, you’ll help patients navigate their journey toward healing.
As members of the multidisciplinary health-care team in mental-health services, psychiatric technicians work in various facilities, including hospitals, residential treatment centers, outpatient clinics and other areas, assisting with the care of patients with behavioral and developmental disorders.
Psychiatric Technicians provide support to patients, ensuring their needs are met through assisting with activities of daily living and more. You can prepare for this role by taking course work in psychology, nursing, health sciences and communication.
This program provides you with the classroom content to take the Level 1 and Level 2 exams for national certification from the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT). This program requires completion of the plan of study followed by one year of working in the field. This certification is designed to allow completers to gain recognition as nursing paraprofessionals leading to better wages and advancement.
This is a limited enrollment program.
Earn your Psychiatric Technician certificate by completing the following required courses.
You must complete the following courses prior to entering the Psychiatric Technician Certificate program. By completing CNA 111 and 112, you will earn a CNA Certificate through Harper College.
|
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
CNA 111 |
4 |
|
|
CNA 112 |
2 |
|
|
PSY 101 |
3 |
|
|
BIO 135 |
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology |
4 |
A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
|
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
HSC 165 |
1 |
|
|
PSY 228 |
3 |
|
|
PSY 230 |
3 |
|
|
PSY 220 |
3 |
|
|
NUR 115 |
2 |
A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
|
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
SPE 215 |
3 |
|
|
HSC 213 |
2 |
|
|
NUR 208 |
Care of Individuals with Developmental and Behavioral Disorders |
3 |
|
NUR 225 |
1 |
|
|
NUR 230 |
3 |
Psych technicians are in strong demand in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin region, with job growth expected to increase by 6.5% over the next 7 years. Some of the most common job titles posted include Behavior Health Technicians, Mental Health Technicians, Psychiatrict Technicians and Behavioral Health Specialists.
Top Chicago-area employers include Ascension, Northwestern Medicine, Northshore University
Health System, and the State of Illinois. To learn more visit the Psychiatric Technician Career Profile
(Source: Lightcast)
For more information about starting your nursing education at Harper, please contact Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.